Your best SciFi book ?
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
i think the three body problem trilogy is very good, as is the bobiverse series :)
"mostly watching the human race is like watching dogs watch tv ... they see the pictures move but the meaning escapes them"
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Gawd ... very hard to pick "just one" ... "Ender's Game" and sequels Any of "The Expanse" books "Oath of Fealty" The Ringworld / Tales of Known Space series Anything by Iain M Banks, ditto William Gibson, Philip Jose Farmer (especially Riverworld), the Late Great DNA, Haldeman's "Forever War" series "The Stainless Steel Rat" series. Then there is Heinlein, Vonnegut, some of Philip K Dick's stuff was amazing. Zelazny's tales of Corwin, prince of Amber. Nah. There is no "Best ever SF book" - there is just "Best right at this moment" when you are in the mood and reading it ...
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Grunt - by Mary Gentle This crosses a boundary between SciFi and D&D Fantasy. Told from the perspective of the Goblins who happen across a stash of rather unique weaponry and other "influences". That stash and the influences link the SciFi in. How can you not help cheer when a knighy in shining armor gets taken out by a goblin?
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
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Grunt - by Mary Gentle This crosses a boundary between SciFi and D&D Fantasy. Told from the perspective of the Goblins who happen across a stash of rather unique weaponry and other "influences". That stash and the influences link the SciFi in. How can you not help cheer when a knighy in shining armor gets taken out by a goblin?
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
There are three books in the "Orcs" series[^] - where the humans are not the heroes. Hadn't thought about them for years! [edit] And another three in the "Bad Blood" series I just found out - not tried them! [/edit]
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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There are three books in the "Orcs" series[^] - where the humans are not the heroes. Hadn't thought about them for years! [edit] And another three in the "Bad Blood" series I just found out - not tried them! [/edit]
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
I may give them a try. One thing about the one I posted (only one like it I read, anyway) is that it broaches into SciFi, as well. Trying to stick with the thread on a first-level response. Reading Grunt was just a lot of fun. Found by accident: whilst I used to start to work on a commuter rail they had a waiting room. Within the room was a book-rack (instituted by the near-by library) for books to just take with you. I loaned it to my son (the now-adult to whom I read Hobbit and Lord of the Rings aloud) when he was a wee lad. Like "Lord of the Rings", Grunt ended too soon.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Rage wrote:
what would be your best SciFi book ?
I like the one's from Steve Alten. I've read all but the (government) conspiracy ones.
"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Miles
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
As have already been said, there is a lot of good SciFi out there. - Pohl: The heechees series, Merchant wars... - Heinlein: The moon is a bad mistress, Friday... - Crichton: Jurasic parc, State of fear - Asimov: Foundation serie - Herbert: Dune serie (although some are not that good) - Schätzing: Limit - I don't know how it is called in english but the plot is that every human being that reached more than 5 years old is resurrected all at once in a world were basic needs are automatically covered by some allien technology. 5 or 6 books -... -...
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
I only have one sci-fi book, Polaris, by Jack McDevitt. The main character gets involved in a 60 year old mystery about a crew disappearing from an interstellar yacht. It was one of those random grab books I picked up, and I enjoyed the read. Otherwise, my bookshelves are lined with Fantasy novels; Forgotten Realms and The Wheel of Time sort of stuff. :)
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As have already been said, there is a lot of good SciFi out there. - Pohl: The heechees series, Merchant wars... - Heinlein: The moon is a bad mistress, Friday... - Crichton: Jurasic parc, State of fear - Asimov: Foundation serie - Herbert: Dune serie (although some are not that good) - Schätzing: Limit - I don't know how it is called in english but the plot is that every human being that reached more than 5 years old is resurrected all at once in a world were basic needs are automatically covered by some allien technology. 5 or 6 books -... -...
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
Riverworld is what you are looking for: Riverworld - Wikipedia[^] - I mentioned it above, good stuff! Just watch out when searching for P.J.Farmer books at work: some of his stuff was pr0n with a SF / Fantasy setting - "Image of the Beast" and "Blown" for example ... :omg:
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Oooo! Add in Robert L. Forward to that list - "Dragon's Egg" and "Flight of the Dragonfly" / "Rocheworld" are well worth a read.
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Too many to count. I have about 500 songs my ten top favourite songs, same with books. Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham (plus all his other books) Nightfall - Isaac Asimov (Ok everything by Asimov) Dune - Frank Herbert Martian Cornicles - Ray Bradbury. Riverworld - Philip Jose Farmer Anything by Larry Niven. Everything by Terry Pratchett (not strictly sci-fi though) Loved Brave New World (& the old movie + new TV series). Then there's Arthur C. Clarke, Harry Harrison, Eric Frank Russel, Robert Sheckley to name a few.
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Top ten reasons why I'm lazy 1.
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I only have one sci-fi book, Polaris, by Jack McDevitt. The main character gets involved in a 60 year old mystery about a crew disappearing from an interstellar yacht. It was one of those random grab books I picked up, and I enjoyed the read. Otherwise, my bookshelves are lined with Fantasy novels; Forgotten Realms and The Wheel of Time sort of stuff. :)
Kris Lantz wrote:
Otherwise, my bookshelves are lined with Fantasy novels; Forgotten Realms and The Wheel of Time sort of stuff
they get a couple of shelves at my place too. - Tolkien: Middle Earth - Weiss & Hackmann: Dragonlance serie && The Death Gate Cycle - Many others.... more Dragonlance (I think I have almost the whole set) - Miguel de Castro: El pais inerme (not sure if it has been translated to english, but if yes... a nice one too) -
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Too many to count. I have about 500 songs my ten top favourite songs, same with books. Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham (plus all his other books) Nightfall - Isaac Asimov (Ok everything by Asimov) Dune - Frank Herbert Martian Cornicles - Ray Bradbury. Riverworld - Philip Jose Farmer Anything by Larry Niven. Everything by Terry Pratchett (not strictly sci-fi though) Loved Brave New World (& the old movie + new TV series). Then there's Arthur C. Clarke, Harry Harrison, Eric Frank Russel, Robert Sheckley to name a few.
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Top ten reasons why I'm lazy 1.
How could I forget Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars & Gold Coast books.
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Top ten reasons why I'm lazy 1.
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Gawd ... very hard to pick "just one" ... "Ender's Game" and sequels Any of "The Expanse" books "Oath of Fealty" The Ringworld / Tales of Known Space series Anything by Iain M Banks, ditto William Gibson, Philip Jose Farmer (especially Riverworld), the Late Great DNA, Haldeman's "Forever War" series "The Stainless Steel Rat" series. Then there is Heinlein, Vonnegut, some of Philip K Dick's stuff was amazing. Zelazny's tales of Corwin, prince of Amber. Nah. There is no "Best ever SF book" - there is just "Best right at this moment" when you are in the mood and reading it ...
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
OriginalGriff wrote:
Nah. There is no "Best ever SF book" - there is just "Best right at this moment" when you are in the mood and reading it ...
I say more or less the same for music. Every moment has its music and every music has its moment :)
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Anything Dr. Seuss.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
The mind has the best special effects with no budget! 2001, Rama, I Robot, The Expanse, Seveneves, Neuromancer...More probably!
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
- Just about anything by Frank Herbert. For Dune, I'd stop at God Emperor of Dune. - Nathan Lowell's Ismael Wang books - he's an 18 year old thrust into an interstellar merchant fleet of solar clippers. - The entire Robots to Empire and Foundation series by Asimov - Heinlein's future history series - Stainless Steel Rat series - Brave New World - Starship Mage series by Glynn Stewart. They won't win awards but they're fast, fun romps through the future. I'm sure there are others but these are off the top of my head.
